Scrapie — the risks in perspective

Extract

No-one would deny that there is always an element of risk of introducing an exotic disease with any importation of animals. It must be accepted that the epidemiological features of scrapie pose unique difficulties because of the lengthy incubation period and the uncertainty that can exist in determining if, and when, an imported animal may have been exposed to infection.     

Inherited diseases of cattle — A perspective

Extract

Genetic variation, whether due to the fortuitous recombination of genes at meiosis and fertilization, or to mutation, is the means of evolution and the tool of the animal breeder. Along with favourable variations of the genome, there may be unfavourable variations, some so unfavourable as to result in clinically apparent disease. Therefore, it is biologically normal for genetically induced diseases to occur in all species, races or breeds. Such disease may be caused by structural or functional defects of many kinds and it is important to differentiate these from similar diseases induced by environmental agents. Although the cost of inherited diseases to the national economy may be lower than that caused by diseases of infectious or nutritional origin, inherited diseases may be economically important, particularly to individual breeders. Certain genetically caused diseases may spread insidiously through a breed until they are difficult to control economically. It is therefore highly desirable that diseases with a genetic basis be recognized at an early stage and control measures instigated. Apart from the economic aspects of inherited diseases, they may be important as experimental models for the study of similar diseases in man.     

Evaluation of clinical pathology parameters in fecal PCR-positive or PCR-negative goats for Johne’s disease

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Johne’s disease (JD) is an economically important infectious disease of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). This...     

Acute lead poisoning in western Canadian cattle — A 16-year retrospective study of diagnostic case records

This study describes the epidemiology of acute lead poisoning in western Canadian cattle over the 16-year period of 1998 to 2013 and reports background bovine tissue lead concentrations. Case records from Prairie Diagnostic Services, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, identified 525 cases of acute lead toxicity over the investigational period. Poisonings were influenced by year (P < 0.0001) and month (P < 0.0001). Submissions were highest in 2009 (15.6%), 2001 (11.2%), and 2006 (9.9%). Most cases were observed during May, June, and July (62.3%). Cattle 6 months of age and younger were frequently poisoned (53.5%; P < 0.0001). Beef breeds were predominantly poisoned. Mean toxic lead concentrations (mg/kg wet weight) in the blood, liver, and kidney were 1.30 ± 1.70 (n = 301), 33.5 ± 80.5 (n = 172), and 56.3 ± 39.7 (n = 61). Mean normal lead concentrations in the blood, liver, and kidney were 0.036 ± 0.003 mg/kg (n= 1081), 0.16 ± 0.63 mg/kg (n = 382), and 0.41 ± 0.62 mg/kg (n = 64).     

The epidemiology,molecular characterization and clinical pathology of circovirus infections in pigeons – current knowledge

The first cases of circovirus infections in pigeons were documented less than 25 years ago. Since then, circovirus infections have been reported on nearly all continents. The specificity of pigeon breeding defies biosecurity principles, which could be the reason for the high prevalence of PiCV infections. PiCV infections in pigeons lead to atrophy of immune system organs and lymphocyte apoptosis. Infected birds could be more susceptible to infections of the respiratory and digestive tract. PiCV has been associated with the young pigeon disease syndrome (YPDS). PiCVs are characterized by high levels of genetic diversity due to frequent point mutations, recombination processes in the PiCV genome and positive selection. Genetic recombinations and positive selection play the key role in the evolution of PiCV. A protocol for culturing PiCV under laboratory conditions has not yet been developed, and traditional vaccines against the infection are not available. Recombinant capsid proteins for detecting anti-PiCV antibodies have been obtained, and these antigens can be used in the production of diagnostic tests and subunit vaccines against PiCV infections. However, YPDS has complex etiology, and it remains unknown whether immunization against PiCV alone will contribute to effective control of YPDS.     

What makes a great clinical team? Stakeholder perspectives on the attributes of effective veterinary health care teams in Australia

Extensive research in the business and organisational literature links teamwork to enhanced productivity and employee job satisfaction. Good teamwork capability is also a highly regarded graduate attribute linked to employability. This study explored desirable teamwork attributes for veterinary technology graduates in Australia, by surveying veterinarians, veterinary technology graduates, veterinary nurses, clients and academics. Respondents highlighted the importance of seven attributes sourced from the cross‐disciplinary teamwork literature—‘flexibility’ (in approach to work), ‘agreeableness’, being ‘cooperative’, ‘socially sensitive and perceptive’, ‘conscientiousness’, being ‘accepting of others’ and ‘sharing professional values’. The majority in each stakeholder group viewed all attributes important for teamwork concurring with findings in other fields. Few differences were found between and within groups with veterinarians and academics rating ‘conscientiousness’ higher than others and female clients placing more importance on relational attributes compared to male clients. Thematic analysis of an open‐ended item asking the veterinary health care groups, and veterinary academics, to define teamwork generated nine themes centred on: collaboration, goals and outcomes, sharing values, relationships, diversity, communication, task‐orientation, personal attributes, and workplace culture. This study illuminates an interprofessional perspective on veterinary teamwork. Results will be useful for veterinary technology, veterinary nursing and veterinary educators when developing a curriculum for interprofessional teamwork to enhance team performance, employability and, ultimately, the quality of veterinary services.     

Coccidiosis in sheep—A review

Extract

Coccidiosis has long been recognized III Europe and the United States as a disease of some importance. As an introduction to the papers that follow in this issue, the authors considered that it would be profitable to review some of the overseas literature dealing with coccidiosis in sheep.     

Acute phase protein concentrations in colostrum-deprived pigs immunized with subunit and commercial vaccines against Glässer's disease

Haemophilus parasuis is the etiological agent of Gl?sser's disease, which is characterized by fibrinous polyserositis, polyarthritis and meningitis in pigs. This study was focused on the characterization of the acute-phase response after immunization and infection of colostrum-deprived pigs with H. parasuis serovar 5, by measuring serum concentrations of three positive acute-phase proteins (APPs) (pig major acute-phase protein pig, MAP; haptoglobin, HPG; C-reactive protein, CRP) and one negative APP (apolipoprotein A-I, ApoA-I). Six experimental groups were established: a non-immunized but infected control group (CTL); two groups immunized with either a recombinant transferrin-binding protein (Tbp) A or TbpB fragment from H. parasuis Nagasaki strain (rTbpA and rTbpB, respectively); two groups immunized with native outer membrane proteins with affinity to porcine transferrin (NPAPT), one of them inoculated intramuscularly (NPAPTim) and the other intratracheally (NPAPTit), and the last group receiving a commercially available bacterin (PG). The greatest concentrations of the three positive APPs and the lowest concentration of the negative APP were detected in CTL group, as well as in those animals belonging to rTbpA or rTbpB groups that died in response to challenge. Significant differences (P<0.005) were found in these groups when comparing challenge with the following days after it. However, no significant differences were seen for the remaining vaccinated groups (NPAPTim, NPAPTit and PG), which were effectively protected against Gl?sser's disease. Therefore, APPs could be used as useful biomarkers for both evaluating disease progression and determining vaccination effectiveness.